FEATURED NEWS ITEM

Prepared and Distributed by the Polonia Media Network

MARTIAL LAW ANNIVERSARY

REMEMBERED ACROSS POLAND

Warsaw (PMN)—December 13, 2011, marked the 30th anniversary of the imposition of martial law by Poland’s communist authorities. One of the most tragic dates in modern Polish history was remembered across the country, with numerous special events scheduled to take place.

These were historical debates, film screenings, exhibitions and reenactments. In Warsaw, for one, a reenactment of a street battle between anti-communist opposition members and communist police was held.

As every year, a protest took place in the capital in front of the house of Wojciech Jaruzelski, Poland’s last communist leader who, in 1981, declared martial law.

This year, December 13 also saw an initiative organized by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party. The goal of its Independence and Solidarity March was to commemorate the martial law anniversary and also focus on what the party sees as today’s threats to Polish independence.

In force between December 13, 1981, and July 22, 1983, martial law was introduced in order to counter growing unrest against the communist regime and suppress any potential uprising. At the time, the opposition Solidarity movement was gaining support and momentum.

A number of former communist dignitaries have long maintained that the imposition of martial law was necessary to avoid a potential Soviet invasion of Poland. Jaruzelski has insisted that the decision was a “lesser evil.”

While the exact number of casualties resulting from martial law remains unknown, a special Sejm committee working from 1989-1991 concluded it amounted to no less than 91 people. Approximately 10,000 opposition members were interned over the period.

In March of this year, Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled that the imposition of martial law in 1981 had been contrary to both today’s constitution and the one in force during the communist period. It also ruled that it was in violation of international law.